On this site you will find information about the Department of Occupational Medicine and parts of what we are doing. The department was established in 1990 by initiative of the Ministry of Health and Care Services. The department is part of the Clinic of Thoracic and Occupational Medicine at St. Olav’s Hospital. Anne Henriksen is the clinic manager. Bjørn Hilt heads the Department of Occupational Medicine which currently has ten employees and some externally funded staff. The department is also affiliated with Department of Public Health and General Practice at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim.
The department's main objective is to provide the general population, all health – care services and the work environments a comprehensive range of occupational medicine and industrial hygiene services that are equally available in the entire health care region. Our overriding purpose is to ensure that participation in the work force should serve as a health resource, and to prevent any health – related problems as a result of the work environment.
Other goals are to:
• Ensure facilities for completing our tasks according to hospital and department goals and strategic plans.
• Conduct our professional activities in accordance with quality - controlled routines.
• Meet with positive service attitude, empathy and respect all those referred to the department or who otherwise seek our assistance.
• Provide an inclusive and safe work environment that provides development opportunities for all employees.
• Contribute to a positive collaboration with management and other departments at St. Olav’s Hospital and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
• Communicate the importance of preventive health care and safety in the workplace to students and other participants in health – care services.
The Department of Occupational Medicine has the following tasks:
1) Patient Assessment
The department receives referrals from doctors and The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service (NAV)for the assessment of patients with a suspected occupation - related illness. Though our mandate is preventive health care, the department also aims to ensure that a patient's rights in relation to NAV and others are met, and that individuals with work-related illnesses or injuries have continued opportunity to participate in working life
2) Workplace Surveys
The department makes on – site workplace assessments related to patient referrals, or when the department has received requests for assistance with workplace health issues from occupational health services or others.
3) Follow-up of persons exposed to environmental factors
Collaboration with occupational health services and others concerning preventive measures and follow-up of workers who are currently or have been exposed to possible harmful influences at work.
4) Research and development
Conduct occupational medicine research and investigations about how physical, chemical, biological, psychological and organizational factors experienced at work affect people's health. The research takes place through the department’s internal and/or externally funded research projects, and through the use of the department's expertise in research conducted by occupational health services and other departments / institutions.
5) Information
Consult and give information to government bodies, institutions, corporations, unions and others on issues related to work and health.
6) Teaching
The department participates in teaching at the Medical Faculty and other faculties at NTNU and HIST. Employees of the department hold lectures on occupational medicine and industrial hygiene at courses, conferences and other forums.